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Seminole County, FL Short-Term Rentals: Primary-Residence-Only Rule (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified July 2026

Key Facts

Primary-residence rule
None in county code
State preemption
FS 509.032(7)(b)
Owner-occupied exemption
LDC Sec. 30.1373(f)
Whole-home rentals
Allowed if registered
Homestead caution
May risk exemption

Summary

No. Seminole County does not require a vacation rental to be the owner's primary residence, and Florida law would preempt such a rule. Full-time owner-occupied homes renting bedrooms via an internal hallway are actually exempt from the ordinance.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Seminole County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

Sections 30.1373 through 30.1376 shall not apply to any dwelling unit that is owner-occupied on a full-time basis and provided the means of ingress and egress is through a hallway internal to the unit to the sleeping room(s) leased by the transient occupant(s).

View official code

Full Breakdown

Seminole County's vacation-rental ordinance sets no primary-residence requirement, and it could not: FS 509.032(7)(b) bars local governments from prohibiting vacation rentals or regulating their duration or frequency. Non-owner-occupied whole-home rentals are permitted so long as they register and meet the minimum standards. Notably, LDC Sec. 30.1373(f) excludes from the ordinance any dwelling that is owner-occupied on a full-time basis where guests reach the rented sleeping rooms through an internal hallway, treating owner-occupied room rentals differently from stand-alone vacation rentals. Homestead-exemption holders are cautioned they may risk that exemption if the property is used as a vacation rental.

Violations & Fines

Not applicable as a standalone rule; general registration and standards violations are handled under Sec. 30.1376 and Code of Ordinances Sections 53.14 and 53.24.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I run a short-term rental at a second home?
Yes. Seminole County does not require it to be your primary residence; you must register the unit and meet the minimum standards.
Are owner-occupied room rentals treated differently?
Yes. Full-time owner-occupied homes where guests reach bedrooms through an internal hallway are exempt from the vacation-rental ordinance under Sec. 30.1373(f).

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Seminole County

Noise Ordinances: Quiet HoursSome RestrictionsShort-Term Rental PermitsSome RestrictionsHost Presence RuleSome RestrictionsNoise RulesSome RestrictionsOccupancy LimitsSome RestrictionsShort-Term Rental Parking RulesSome RestrictionsNight CapsSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Barking DogsSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Aircraft NoiseFew RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Amplified Music & Outdoor SoundSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Vehicle NoiseSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Leaf Blower RulesSome Restrictions

All Seminole County rules

Florida rules heatmap·Compare Seminole County to another location·View the Florida short-term rentals overview

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